Government panics as Karnataka faces rainfall deficit
The Hindu
The entry of monsoon into Karnataka was delayed by one week. Cyclone Biparjoy has sucked out moisture from southern India, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said explaining the reason for the shortfall in rains.
With delayed monsoon and deficit rainfall across Karnataka, the government is gearing up to declare the State as drought-hit.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on June 19, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the State Government is in ‘panic’ as districts across Karnataka are facing a severe deficit in rainfall.
“As on June 19, 2023, there is a rainfall deficit in all districts. If there is no improvement, we will have to start discussing the possibility of declaring a drought in the first week of July,” Mr Gowda said.
The south-west monsoon entered Karnataka about 10 days ago. “But we are in some level of panic. The government is cautiously monitoring the situation. Weather experts are expecting a recovery. We are monitoring the rainfall every day,” the Revenue Minister said. “The State Government is hopeful”.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast stated that Karnataka should get 96-104% rainfall this year. There is no proposal before the government on cloud seeding as of now, he said.
The entry of monsoon into Karnataka was delayed by one week. Cyclone Biparjoy has sucked out moisture from southern India, Mr Gowda said explaining the reason for the shortfall in rains.
More than 800 habitations across Karnataka are facing a drinking water problem. These habitations are depending either on tankers or rented borewells for drinking water supply, the Minister added.
“We are judges and therefore, cannot act like Mughals of a bygone era ... the writ courts in the guise of doing justice cannot transcend the barriers of law,” the High Court of Karnataka observed while setting aside an order of a single judge, who in 2016 had extended the lease of a public premises allotted to a physically challenged person to 20 years contrary to 12-year period stipulated in the law.
The High Court of Karnataka on Monday declined to interfere, at present, in the investigation against a Bharatiya Janata Party worker, who is among the accused persons facing charges of circulating obscene clips, related to “morphed” images and videos clips related to Prajwal Revanna, former Hassan MP, in public domain through pen drives and other modes.
The 16th edition of Bhoomi Habba was held on June 8, at the Visthar campus. The festival drew a vibrant crowd who came together to celebrate eco-consciousness through a variety of engaging activities, creative workshops, panel discussions, interactive exhibits and performances, all centered around this year’s theme: “Save Water, Save Lives.”